On Reapplying....

[SkinNerd]

Hello All! I am getting ready to apply for derm the second time around, and am wondering if anyone out there who has been in my situation could give me some advice.

First of all, regarding the personal statement, is it appropriate to comment on not matching? (Is this tacky?) Or should I instead focus on why I want to be a dermatologist, etc. etc.?

Can I use an old letter of recommendation as one of my letters? Admittedly I have only been able to work with 2 new dermatologists since not matching the first time around... Not enough for 3 new letters. Would a primary care letter be OK instead?

Regarding the interviews...

1. How should I handle the 'why didn't you match' questions? I felt I was a solid applicant the first time around, had plenty of interviews, and no major personality quirks that I know of. So I really don't know.... will they want me to explain this?

2. How should I handle the 'what will you do if you don't match again' question? On the one hand, I don't want to seem unrealistic... I know that statistically I am more likely to fail again than I am to succeed, so just saying 'I'll keep trying for derm' sounds naive. Then again, I want to seem committed to the specialty. Do I need to have a specific plan so I won't seem flaky?

3. If I decide to apply to some backup programs (i.e. Internal Medicine), do I admit this up front, or only admit it if asked, or try to conceal it completely? Is it OK to apply to 2 programs at the same institution?

Thanks, I really appreciate your help! Good luck to everyone.... it's a stressful time.

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[Fidicinal]

I actually have some of the same questions. Especially about the personal statement, as that's what I am struggling with, currently.

 

[kralwok]

you could trying posting this question on the DIGA website so that program directors could respond.
i, too, am reapplying and have some of the same questions you do and at this point don't know how i will answer the "what if you don't match" questions. i'm not applying to a backup specialty but will probably give up on derm if i'm not successful this time around. will likely look for something outside the match in another specialty. i have even told my pd that this is my last attempt at derm. not sure if this was a wise decision, but at some point you have to pick up and move on and for me it is after this year. i will never ever do eras again after this year -- no friggin way! i spent thousands of dollars on interviews and wasted hours and hours of my precious time last time around and just can't do that to myself again.

 

[Dove Bar]

For the reapplication personal statement, I would absolutely comment on not matching the first time around. This will be obvious to everyone you interview with, so why not be upfront? Don't dwell, but do acknowledge your situation.

Regarding letters, one tip is to ask your letter writer to update the letter with anything new you've done over the last year. This doesn't take much extra work, and then you have an updated letter. Any strong letter is a good addition to your other derm letters.

For interviews, be honest. You don't know why you didn't match, and emphasize your strong points without sounding cocky or entitled. I would be surprised if you were not asked this on most interviews, so practice your response. You will likely also be asked what makes you a stronger applicant this time.

Have a back up plan that's solid. Hopefully you won't need it, but after not matching once, it would be naive not to have a plan. Obviously, re-applying for derm does show commitment, but you may have a few steps before applying again that you can discuss (like a medicine residency or derm fellowship). Another option is to apply for prelim medicine years as "back up" since you need this anyway. Many medicine programs will accept you out of the prelim if you do well and don't have an advanced residency position lined up.

Good luck!